Target practicing device



c "KOLLMAYE'R ET AL TARGET PRAC'F ICING DEVICE Filed June 12, i936 3 Shets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR or es Kol/mager hn 5/196/10/1 fiatented 1Q, 3937 or ies 2,089,901 2 TARGET rnac'rrcnso DEVlCE Charles Kollmaycr and John Sheehan, New York, N. Y., assignors to Sheehan-liollmayer Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 12, 1936, Serial No. 84,847

16 Claims. This invention relates particularly to target practicing devices of the gun type utilizing a moving objective upon or as the target.

Objects Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are:-to provide an improved gun-type target practicing device employing a moving objective; to utilize a lightprojected objective; to simulate with the objective actual distance and maneuvering of an airplane or the like; to provide for simulating an apparent falling of the airplane objective as an indication of a perfect shot; to provide a mechanism which will bring different objectives successively before the user; to make the successive objectives appear at diiferent positions upon the screen; to require re-aiming to register perfect shots upon successive objectives; to provide an apparatus simulating a gun which will cause the objective to appear to fall when the gun is properly trained upon the objective and the ilring mechanism, such as a trigger, thereupon operating; to employ electric contact means dependent upon proper aiming to complete the circuit; to provide a circuit for operating the objective under control of the operator by pulling a trigger or similar device; to make the closing of the circuit dependent upon co-ordinatlon of proper aiming and simultaneous pulling of the trigger or the like to be eifective; to provide a plurality of mem bers each of which bears an objective to be lightprojected; to provide for steady, relatively slow rotation of the member during the aiming periods; to both rotate and revolve said members; to provide for a more rapid rotation of said member when a perfect shot is made: to continue the steady rotation of all other membersexcept the one whose objective is being projected and has been shot; to provide a structure enabling the aiming to be accomplished either by directly holding the gun or by manipulating it with foot pedals and hand controlled stick in simulation of airplane machine-gun mounting and control; to, secure simplicity of construction and operation; and to obtain other advantages and results as may be brought out in the following description.

Drawings Figure l is a side elevation of a target practicing device embodying our invention with the near side of the cockpit removed and some parts in section;

Figur;- 2 is a plan of .the objective projecting and ccntrolling unit;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of 'Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a rear sectional view of the device looking toward the front of the cockpit;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a part of the objective projecting and operating mechanism; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the track mounting for the trip mechanism.

Description and the gun. so as to give an indication of perfect shooting upon the screen. The details of the structure and interconnection may be considerably varied within the scope of the invention,

but the specific embodiment herein illustrated will be described in detail without limiting, except as hereinafter claimed, to the details described.

A crate-like frame I2 is supported within the cockpit H and in turn carries a large part of the operating and control mechanism hereinafter described so as to permit that mechanism to be moved as a unit both for an initial adjustment and for removal in event repairs may be necessary. This frame supports a light projector I3 which may conveniently contain an electric light bulb i l from which li ht will be directed forwardly through suitable lenses to direct the beam through an aperture i5 and thence forwardly through a focusing tube is likewise having appro priate lenses therein. This structure is designed to cast an image on the screen in front of the gun. and therefore it is preferred to slope the axis of the light projector and lenses upwardly toward the line of the sight of the gun. This accordingly accounts for the tilted position of the frame 12. In passing, it may be pointed out that an appropriate window opening I1 is provided at the front of the cockpit/for passing the directed light beams therethrough to the screen.

Between the light projector l3 and the aperture 15, but below the direct line of the light beam are two rotors l8, 19 which rotate constantly upon a common axis which is parallel to the axis of the mely i3, is fast. upon a rotating 23 are 1 parallel and face each other, and are -I" driven by a single beveled gear 24 positioned '1 ween them on another shaft normal to a it 25 and sleeve 2i and shown directed downwardly to be driven by a bevel gear 28 secured thereon. in turn driven by another bevel gear 21. An electric motor 28 functioning through suitable reduction gearing (not shown) enclosed in casing 23 the last mentioned bevel gear continuously and thus obtains a continuous rotation of rotors 3 and 19. This rotation is relatively slow, in that we prefer to use a reduction gearing in casing 23 of approximately nine hundred'to one. t will be noted that by the construction shown and above described that the rotors l8 and i9 rotate in opposite directions, that is to say, looking from the rear toward the front in the direction of projection of light, the rearward rotor rotates in a clockwise direction and the forward one l8 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

The forward rotor l8 preferably has an annular transparent radially projecting plate thereon which is constantly in front of aperture 15 through which the light passes. This plate 30 may conveniently be of mica and may have a cloud and sky efiect thereon so that the light will project the appearance of moving clouds in. the sky upon the screen as the rotor rotates.

The rearward rotor i9 has a plurality of members 3i tnmnioned thereon next the periphery thereof, which members are likewise transparent and are arranged to present an objective between the light projector 13 and aperture 15. This member 3| is arranged to be rotated upon its trunnlon 32 so that the projection of the objective upon the screen will show the objective in motion. Preferably the objective is a representation of an airplane or the like, and the motion thereof is contra to the direction of movement of the cloud indication. v

It is also a feature to maintain a steady movement of member 31 until the user of the device simultaneously correctly points the gun at the objective on tne screen and pulls the trigger. It is then arranged that member 3i shall rotate quickly to give the illusion of the objective falling, as if it had been shot down. The structure to accomplish this purpose accordingly includes a pinion 33 on the rear end of trunnion 32 in mesh with a gear 34 upon a rotatable rod 35 extending rearwardiy fromrear rotor IS in which it receives bearing support, said rod being parallel to the axis of said rotor- An appropriate number of members 3| are prowluj around the rotor l8 so that suc cesslve objectives will be continuously presented upon the screen. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, only one such member and its con trolling rod 35 have been shown in eachof the several views. It will be understood, however,

- that if all of the rods 35 were shown, they would give the appearance of a cylindrical cage of parallel bars.

'I.he rear end of the rod 35 is shown rotatably supported in a circular carrier 35 parallel to the rotors and a little forward of the pair of bevel gears 22, 23. This (Farrier is likewise shown circular and concentric with the axis of shaft 20 and sleeve 2 i. Parallel to and spaced ashort distance to the rear of carrier 36 is a disc 37. This disc 3'. is concentric and fast with respect to sleeve 2i, so that it will rotate in unison with the rear rotor (3. Carrier 36- is secured to and mounted from disc 31 as by bolts 38 upon which are positioned spacers 39 between the dis: and carrier. It will therefore be observed that carrier 35 likewise rotates with and has a fixed relationship with respect to the rearward rotor. Consequently the several rods 35 will always remain parallel to each other and perpendicular to the rotor and to the carrier in which mounted. Behind the position of each rod 35 is a radially projecting bracket ill, the outer end of which is forked to receive therebetween a latch ll. The outer ends of the forks are looped over to provide a pivotal mounting for the latch enabling said latch to be swung toward and away from its respective rod in a plane containing the axis of the rod. Next to the carrier 36 on the opposite side thereof from disc 31 is a circular fin 42 having a. notch 43 at one part of its periphery. This notch is shaped to receive the end of latch ii which is normally retained therein by a spring 5% (shown in Figure 3) between the opposite end of said latch and the bracket. This circular fin i2 is fast upon rod 35 so that the latch will normally keep the rod from rotating. When the latch is released the rod may rotate and positive means is preferably provided to insure such rotation. The means shown comprises a weighted arm 65 fast upon the rod 35 and projecting sidewise therefrom so as to be infiuenced by gravity. Release of the rod so that it may rotate occurs only when the rod is substantially at an uppermost part of the orbit of its revolution about the axis of the shaft 20 and sleeve 2 i. Thus weighted arm 55 will give the rod 35 substantially a quarter turn when the latch is released by virtue of the weighted arm swinging to 2. depending position. As the rod is revolved to and past its lowermost position, weighted arm 65 accomplishes an oscillation back to its former relation with respect to the rotor and carrier and thus brings the notch" l3 of the circular fin 32 back to registration with latch ll which therefore again secures the rod in its normal positlon. At this normal position of the rod, the ember 3i positions the objective radially outward from rotor l8 and in the path of the light beam. Plus it is that the steady rotation of the rotor imparts the normal movement of the objective and the releasing of the latch ll permits weighted arm 35 to impart rotation to said member 3| upon its trunnion 32 to give the ap pcarance of the objective falling.

Release of latch ll is effected by eiectro-mechanlcal means. Behind each latch in the disc 31 is a slidable trip pin 46 perpendicular to the disc and passing through the same. This trip pin is preferably spring pressed to normally rest in its rearward position. Its forward end, being juxtaposed at the rear of the latch will engage and trip the latch whenever the trip pin is moved for-' The particular construction shown provides a toward. the disc 31 whenever'the electric circuit coming to said magnet by way oi'wires 56, 5! is closed. If, at the moment the finder pin is thus expelled it is axially alined with a trip pin 48, the latch will be released and the objective on the screen will seemingly drop. The permitted horizontal and vertical movement of the carriage enables the operator, if he is skillful, to move the finder pin through the same orbit and in axial alinement with the trip pin during the period of projection of the corresponding objective.

The movement of carriage M is controlled by the aiming of the gun. For this purpose the gun is mounted upon the upper end of a yoke 52 through the agency of a trunnion 53 fixed to and extending upwardly from the middle of the top reach of the yoke to a position beneath the mid part of the gun and above the cockpit II. This trunnion is actually illustrated as a: tube welded or otherwise secured to the yoke and having a stud 54 inserted in the upper end of the tube and held fast by a set screw 55, said stud having a vertical fiat portion 5'6 for receiving a horizontal pivot 51 which likewise passes through depending cars 58 on the gun and next to said fiat portion. Horizontal oscillation of the gun therefore will turn yoke 52 which is unaffected by vertical oscillation of the gun. From the sides of the yoke, as from hooks 59, 59 extends a flexible member, such as a sprocket chain 60 which passes over a sprocket wheel 8| at the upper end of and fast with respect to a long pinion 82. This pinion is in mesh with a rcarwardly facing rack 63 on the rear of carriage 41. Oscillation of the gun and yoke sideways will therefore obtain a lateral shifting of carriage i! in the same direction in which the gun is pointed or oscillated. Vertical movement of the carriage does not affect the oscillation of the same by the means described in view of the continued meshing between the long pinion and the rack 63.

Vertical movement of the carriage 37 is obtained by vertical oscillation of the gun by means of a link 64 which depends from the gun at the rear of trunnion 53, the lower end of said link being attached to a bracket 65 which is fixed with respect to a carriage support 66. This carriage support is shown in the nature of a track running cross-wise of the crate-like frame I2, and in turn supported by vertical and parallel slides 67 which ride in upwardly directed tracks 68, 63 at the rear side corners of said crate-like frame l2.

The structure above described enables the operator to control the device by holding onto the butt of the gun and aiming it at the objective.

However, it is usual, where an airplane is being flown by the same operator who acts as gunner, to aim the gun by altering the course of the airplane. This is done in a real airplane by manipulation of foot pedals and a stick. We therefore make it a feature of the present invention to direct the gun it) in its lateral oscillation by means of foot pedals 59, 69 directly connected to the bottom part of yoke 52 as if the airplane were being altered in its horizontal course. The vertical shifting of the gun, as if accomplished by a .vertical alteration of the airplane course is acthe gun and to operate pedals and -stick simultaneously. 1

1 The gun is equipped with a trigger M by which a switch '15 may be closed to complete a circuit through wires and ll to a suitable source of current supply, here illustrated as battery 78 to wires 50 and El and magnet 48. closure 79 may be provided by way of a button trigger at the upper end of stick (0. The operator maythus close the switch with the hand that operates the stick when aiming through the agency of the stick or may close the switch by the hand that is aiming the gun by pulling trigger 14 when aiming by holding onto the butt of the gun.

The position of the objective upon member 3! is carefully arranged in manufacture to agree with the position of the trip pin 46. That is to say, the trip pins 58, as illustrated in Figure 5. are at different radial distances from the center or axis of rotation of the disc 31 in which they are mounted. A corresponding difference in radial distance of the objective on each member 3| enables pin 59 to properly aline with pin E6. notwithstanding the uneven radial positioning thereof jective on the screen. By this arrangement, the successive objectives will be at different parts of the screen and the operator therefore must take a new aim with the appearance of each new objective. We wish to emphasize so long as an objectire appears upon the screen and the operator has the gun trained upon the objective. pins 49 and as will be alined, and therefore the operator may effectively pull the trigger at any time the objective appears and while pointing toward any part of the screen providing at the moment of pulling the trigger true aim is had toward the objective. W'henthe aim is bad, the pins do not aline and pulling the trigger at such time will. only move the finder pin 49 but will not affect trip pin 65 because the finder pin on its forward movement does not engage it under those conditlons. pin, latch, associated rod and objective member 31 will automatically reset themselves before the objective comes to position passing aperture i5;

We claim:--

l. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a trigger, means for projecting an objcc-' tire on a screen, and means for indicating on the screen when the gun is accurately aimed and the trigger actuated.

2. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a trigger, means for projecting a moving objective on a screen, and means for indicating on the screen when the gun is accurately aimed and the trigger actuated.

3. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a trigger, means for projecting a moving objective on a screen, and means synchronized with the movement of the objective by which the objective will have its course altered when the gun is accurately aimed and the trigger actuated.

4. A target practicing device of thecharacter described comprising a representation of a gun.

having a trigger, means for projecting a moving objective on a screen, means for producing a relatively slow steady movement of the objecwhen the gun is properly trained upon the ob-- A parallel switch We also wish to emphasize that the trip tive, and means for obtaining a quicker movement of the objective when the gun is accurately aimed and the trigger actuated,

having a trigger, means for projecting a moving objective on a screen, means for producing a.

relatively slow steady movement of the objective for projecting the objectives successively (ma screen, and means for indicating on the screen when the gun is accurately aimed and the triggeractuatcd at any objective showing upon the screen.

7. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gut: having a trigger, a plurality of objectives,means for projecting the objectives successively on a screen at different positions on the screen, and

means for indicating on the screen when the gun is accurately aimed and the trigger actuatcd at any objective showing upon the screen.

8. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a triggcr, means for projecting a moving objective on a screen, means for indicating on the screen when the gun is accurately aimed and the trigger actuated, and means moving contra to the objective also projected on the screen for producing a moving background for the objective and increasing the apparent speed of the ob jective.

9. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a, gun having a trigger, a rotor having an objective carried thereby, means for projecting the objective upon a screen, means for imparting a. movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, and means operable by accurate aiming and actuating the trigger of the gun for imparting said movement to the objective.

10. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a trigger, a rotor having an objective carried thereby, means for projecting the objective upon a screen, means for imparting a movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, a trip pin for imparting said movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, and a finder pin movable under influence of aiming of the gun,

said pins being alined one with the'other when the gun is accurately aimed at the objective on the scrcen. and the trigger actuated.

11. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a trigger, a rotor having an objective carried thereby, means for projecting the objective upon a screen, means for imparting a movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, a trip pin for imparting said movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, a finder pln movable under influence of aiming of the gun, said pins being alined one with the other when the gun is accurately aimed at the objective on the screen and the trigger actuated, and means for operating the finder pin toward and against the trip pln f thereby operating said trlp pin when said pins are alined.

- pin for imparting said movement of the ob sponsor 22. A target practicing device of the character described ccmprsmg a'rcpresentation of a gun having a trigger. a rotor having an objccti can ried thereby, means for projecting the obj; tivc upon a screen, means for imparting a movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, a trip tive with respect to the rotor, a finder pin rncnible under influence of aiming of the gun, said pins being alined one with the other when the gun is accurately aimed at-the objective on the reen and the trigger actuated, and electricair eans for operating the finder pin toward and against the trip pin when said pins are alined.

13. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a trigger, a rotor having an objective upon a screen, means for imparting a movement ofthe objective with respect to the rotor, a trip for imparting said movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, a finder pin movable under influence of aiming of the gun, said pins being alined one with the other when the gun is accurately aimed atthe objective on the screen and -the trigger actuated, and an elcctro-msgnet .for operating the finder pin toward and against the trip pin when said pins are alined.

14. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a trigger and-having a part by which the gun may be aimed, a rotor having an objective.

carried thereby, means for projecting the objective upon a screen, mcars for imparting a movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, a' trip pin for imparting said movement of the objective with respect to the rotor, 21 finder pin movable under influence of aiming of the gun, said pins being alined one with the other when the gun is accurately aimed at the objective on the screen and the trigger actuated, an electromagnet for operating the finder pin toward and against the trip pin when said pins are aimed, and a switch on the gun aiming part for closing the magnet circuit.

15. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun having a butt and trigger, said trigger having an electric switch means for projecting a. movable objective on a screen, means for imparting a d tlnct movement to the objective for indicating an accurate shot, (Electra-mechanical means for institutlng said distinct movement cttectuating of which is dependent upon accurate aiming and actuation of the trigger, and said electric switch closable when actuating the trigger by which a. circuit is closed to the clectro-mcchanical means.

16. A target practicing device of the character described comprising a representation of a gun and a stick cooperating with said gun for aiming purposes, and said stick having a switch, means for projectlng a. movable objective on a screen, means for imparting a distinct movement to the objective for indicating an accurate shot, electromechanical means for lnstitutlng said distinct movement eflectuatlng of which is dependent upon accurate aiming of the gun, and an electric switch clos'able by operating the stick switch bywhich a circuit is closed to the electro-mechanlcal JOHN SHEEHAN. 

